Elizabeth Baranger asked members to reply to her as soon as possible with their preferred committee assignment (Graduate Procedures, Graduate Student Concerns, the Subcommittee for the Evaluation of Academic Programs, or an ad hoc committee to consider evaluation of new programs approved within the last several years). Members can send this information to her secretary, Paula, at pjanikow@vms.cis.pitt.edu.

Role of UCGS
Elizabeth Baranger discussed the role of UCGS. The responsibilities of the Council are described on pages 9 and 10 in Regulations Governing Graduate Study at the University of Pittsburgh. Council does not have jurisdiction over professional degrees. However, it reviews all proposals for new graduate degree programs and other important matters, such as formation of new departments. It is also charged with conducting evaluations of academic programs which are coordinated by the Subcommittee for the Evaluation of Academic Programs (SEAP). Since SEAP also reviews undergraduate programs, its members include representatives from the Provost's Advisory Committee on Undergraduate Programs (PACUP). Council also acts as an advocate for graduate student issues, most recently in negotiating for a popular managed-care health plan for students with TA, TF, GSA or GSR appointments.

Proposal to Change the Name of the Master of Library Science (MLS) Degree
Elizabeth Baranger noted that Council has previously approved the change of the names of the School of Information Sciences and its two departments. Edie Rasmussen from the School of Information Sciences explained that the School would like to change the name of the MLS degree to the "Master of Library and Information Science" so that this degree objective will match the name of the department which offers it, and better represent the required curriculum and the field as a whole. Nineteen of the 56 schools in the U.S. and Canada which offer this program have changed the name of the degree objective to that proposed here or something very similar. There is no conflict with the existing Master of Science in Information Science curriculum or degree name. Steve Hirtle stated that he agrees with all of these points and supports this degree name change. After Dr. Rasmussen left the meeting Council unanimously approved the proposal without further discussion.

Activities of Council in 1996-97
Elizabeth Baranger reviewed the items described in the UCGS 1995-96 Annual Report, noting that this report is sent annually to all members of the graduate faculty, and additionally to all full-time faculty in FAS. If other schools would also like the report to be sent to their full-time faculty they should notify Dr. Baranger. No corrections to the Annual Report were suggested. Dr. Baranger noted that Council may want to review the necessity of maintaining the distinction of a "graduate faculty" within the faculty as a whole. There was no discussion.

Future Activities for UCGS in 1996-97
Elizabeth Baranger described the following planned or potential activities.

• Reviewing the completed evaluation for the doctoral program in the School of Nursing
• Reviewing proposals for new or substantially changed graduate degrees
• Possibly reviewing the implications for graduate study and students of the new student information system
• Considering how to respond to the Trustees' interest in an expanded academic program evaluation process
• Possibly conducting limited evaluations of new programs approved within the last several years
• Considering how to affiliate interdisciplinary programs with the schools which sponsor them, especially regarding the distribution of tuition credit to more than one school

During discussion members suggested the following additional activities.

• Reviewing existing and encouraging new interdisciplinary graduate programs in response to student interest
• Reviewing the impact of new technology (such as the world-wide web) and its supposed benefits on the University
• Considering how graduate students as a population are served at the University, since few services seem to be aimed at this group
• Considering whether and how to offer graduate courses on the Internet for which tuition could be charged
• Reviewing whether University resources are able to keep up with faculty and student demand for access to new technology
• Considering how to respond to criticism in the media of graduate education in general; such a response might include not only better public relations but also a critical look at how satisfied graduate students are with their educational experience, and how well-prepared they are when they leave the academy.

Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 4:00pm.

This page developed and maintained by Paula Janikowski .........Last revision: November 19, 1996